How to Build an Open Air Closet in Your Room

Organize your clothes along one wall of your room.

If your apartment is the size of a closet, you probably don't have room for one. But the least bit of clothes clutter in a small space can be catastrophic. Create an open closet along one wall of a studio or tiny bedroom for your couture collection, along with some shelves and storage boxes to organize it like a minimalist boutique.

Things You'll Need

• Ready-made shelves, short and long
• Shelf brackets
• Rod and shelf support brackets
• Screws and screwdriver
• Stud finder
• Banker's boxes
• Metal shower rod
• Rod flanges (2)
• Tape measure
• Padded clothes hangers
• Zip-up clothes keeper
• Freestanding shelves
• Closed storage containers
• S-hooks
• Drill and plastic anchors (Optional)
• Hammer (Optional)

Instructions

1. Purchase banker's boxes and ready-made shelving to run across the top of the closet. Measure the banker's boxes and be sure the shelf you buy is wide enough to hold a row of them. Purchase a plain metal shower rod, along with rod and shelf support brackets. These brackets have a flat top to hold the shelf and a metal curve below to hold a bar or rod. You will also need two rod flanges, one for each end of the hanging bar.

2. Calculate the shelf position based on the height of the banker's boxes, plus an inch or more of clearance between the box lids and the ceiling. Keep in mind that a typical clothes hanging bar in a closet is anywhere from 65 to 80 inches from the floor. Measure the placement of the rod and shelf support brackets. Use a stud finder to locate the strongest points to screw the brackets to the wall. Mark the mounting locations for the brackets then grab a screwdriver and screw the brackets into the wall studs so they will support the weight of clothing and accessories.

3. Lay a finished shelf across the brackets. Fill the banker's boxes with items that are worn infrequently or are out-of-season. Store the boxes on the top shelf.

4. Place the shower rod in the curved rod supports. Mark where the ends reach the walls on either side. Remove the rod and screw the rod flanges into the side walls at the marks. Insert the rod into a flange at one end, lay the rod in the curved support brackets and fit the other end into the opposite rod flange. Use identical, padded hangers to hang clothing from the rod, organized by type and color so it looks neat.

5. Hang a canvas or plastic clothes keeper at one end of the shower rod and store formal wear or other seldom-used,longer clothes in the zip-up bag.

6. Set freestanding low shelves under the shortest hanging clothes, such as shirts or jackets. Use the shelves to display shoes. Keep tall boots in their boxes or stand them on the floor next to the shoe rack.

7. Install more brackets and short shelves on one side wall under the main shelf and hanging bar system. Place hats, bags and other bulky accessories on the shelves. Keep gloves, socks and underwear in closed storage containers on the shorter shelves. Slip S-hooks over the shelf supports or the wire mesh of grid-style shelves and use the hooks to hang belts and scarves.

8. Keep your open closet in perfect order for a spacious feeling in the room and easy access to a couture wall that serves as room decor while it stores your clothing.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for banker's boxes without writing on them or splurge on canvas banker's boxes designed for visible storage.

• Tap plastic anchors into the wall to support bracket screws if they cannot be screwed directly into wall studs. Drill a hole then use a hammer to lightly tap the anchor into the hole. Then screw the bracket to the wall at the anchors.

References

• Apartment Therapy: Laura's House Tour
• Apartment Therapy: Melissa & Matt -- Bedroom